Box-cover fastener.



F. W. DOBBEL.

BOX COVER FASTENEB.

APPLICATION rnnn 0011.31, 1910.

1,001,257, ,PatentedAug.'22,1911.

NiIHEEEEE COLUMBIA FLANOUHAPH C0., WASHINGTON, D. C.

S AT

BOX COVER FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

Application filed October 31, 1910. Serial No. 589,865.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. DoB- BEL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Sonoma, in the county of Sonoma and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBox-Cover Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

The hereinafter described invention relates to an improved means for thesecuring or locking of the cover to the body of crates for the shipmentof goods generally, although its application is more particularlydesigned for use in connection with crates for the shipment ortransportation of eggs; the object of the invention being theprocluction of a locking device simple in its construction, inexpensiveas to manufacture, which constitutes a permanent portion of the crate,and so arranged as to hold the cover securely against displacementduring transportation of the crate, whether filled or emptied, and by sodoing providing against the loss resulting by the breakage and damage tothe covers by reasonof the rough usage to which articles of thischaracter are subjected.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanyingsheet of drawings, wherein' Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cratewith the lock means applied thereto partly broken away. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view taken through the crate with the coverapplied thereto. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the lock-bolt and itssecuring thimble or sleeve detached. Fig. 4c is a detail view of thethimble or sleeve with the lock-bolt assembled therein partly brokenaway.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 is used to designate the body of thecrate and 2 the cover therefor. Preferably from the ends of the body ofthe crate upwardly project the lock or bolt plates 3, which when thecover is applied to the crate extend through the guide channels or cutout sections 4 formed within the said cover 2 and hold the cover againstlateral play or movement.

In the present case, the cover 2 is illustrated as strengthened by meansof the crosscleats or pieces 5, which are preferably secured to theupper face of the cover and when so applied serve to space a crateplaced thereon. 7

Within a longitudinal bore 6 in each crosscleat 5 is fitted a splittubular metallic thimble 7 the spring pressure of which serves to holdthe same firmly in place when forced within the bore, the inner end 6 ofthe thimble being flanged inwardly to slightly contract the same and itsouter end formed with an outwardly disposed circumferential flange 7which bears against the surface of the cross-cleat 5 and limits theinward movement of the thimble, likewise protects the surface of thesaid cross piece adjacent the bore 6.

Within the thimble 7 is fitted for longitudinal movement the lock-bolt8, the re duced section 8 of which is surrounded by a spring 9, the samebeing confined within the thimble between the shoulder 9 of thelock-bolt 8 and the wall formed by the reduced inner end 6 of thethimble, which end is turned over or flanged after the lockbolt has beenapplied within the thimble, and said end is engaged on its outer face bythe head 10 of the lock-bolt, which serves to limit the outward movementof the said lock-bolt.

The lock-bolt when held outwardly pressed its full distance fits withina bolt seat or opening 10 formed in the face of the lock or bolt plate3, being locked therein 1 by the pressure of the retained spring 9,

which normally holds the lock-bolt outwardly pressed for projectionbeyond the thimble, the said lock-bolt being drawn inwardly out ofengagement with the lockplate by pressure exerted on the head 10, whichis intended to be grasped between the fingers and drawn outwardly torelease the lock-bolt, and for convenience in manipulating thelock-bolt, each cleat 5 is formed on its inner edge surface with asegmental cutout 11 in order to secure clearance space in which tooperate the lock-bolt. By this arrangement the head end of thelock-bolts is not required to project beyond the sphere of thecross-cleats 5 and to this extent the same are protected against beingbroken or damaged during rough handling of the crates. However, thelock-bolts may be operated in any desired manner, although preference isgiven to the construction illustrated and described, inasmuch as thelockbolts are not only protected but compactness is secured.

By the use of the described invention the cover may be quickly appliedto and separated from the body of the crate, and held securely lockedthereto when properly placed, which insures the return of the coverswhen the empty crates are shipped to the owner thereof.

In the present case the lock-plates 3 are provided with a transversechannel 12, so that in case one or both of the lock-bolts should becomebroken or damaged, a pin 1.2 may be slipped therein and thus hold thecover secured to the crate body, one of such pins being illustrated inFig. 1 of the drawings.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a fastener for shipping crates,the combination with the body of the crate, of

lock plates secured to the end walls of the said body and projectedabove the same, a

cover for the body provided with cut-outs or guide channels throughwhich the projecting end of the lock plates extend, trans- I verselydisposed strengthening cleats se-v cured to the cover, a metallicthimble fitted in each cleat, a lock bolt movable within each of saidthimbles, a spring located within each thimble for acting against thelock bolt therein for maintaining the same outwardly and into lockedengagement with one of the lock plates, and a head carried the lockplates extend, transversely disposed strengthening cleats secured to thecover, a metallic thimble fitted in each cleat, a lock bolt movablewithin each of said thimbles, a spring located within each thimble foracting against the lock bolt therein for maintaining the same outwardlyand into locked engagement with one of the lock plates, and a headcarried by each lock belt for drawing the same inwardly and out oflocked engagement with its lock. bolt.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of "two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK w. DOBBEL;

Witnesses:

N. A. AoKnn, D. B RICHARDS. v

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner] of Patents,

Washington, D. C."

